Local Governments Urged to Renovate Museums

Denpasar, Indonesia - Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik over the weekend called on local governments to do their part to help revitalize dilapidated museums across the country.

“The central government gives more attention by allocating substantial funds. Therefore, I also ask the local governments to do the same — particularly as this year is Visit Museum Year,” Jero said on Saturday.

Jero said the central government this year allocated a budget of about Rp 100 billion ($11.1 million) to refurbish 283 museums throughout the country. The funding is significantly higher than in previous years, which have averaged Rp 10 billion.

The funds, he said, would be used for renovations of museum facilities, maintenance of exhibits and as scholarships for museum and archeology staff to pursue postgraduate studies at some universities.

Jero asked local governments to contribute to this program. “The budget would be based on the capacity of each local government. Don’t think about profits or losses because everyone will ultimately profit,” he added.

The minister also urged governors to issue regulations to require students across the country visit museums at least once a year. According to Jero, visiting museums would better serve to build national character than field trips to tourism sites.

Museums would also be asked to cooperate with private galleries, Jero added, similar to what was being done by some art galleries in Bali. With these efforts, he argued, the museums would be better maintained and help contribute to making the revitalization program a success.

“If the condition of our museums are good, it will increase tourist visitor numbers,” he said.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said museums on the resort island were a major component of the tourism industry. Many holiday packages organized by travel agencies, he said, included museums on their itineraries for tourists to visit.

Pastika added that Bali was currently seeking to register three historic sites as Unesco World Heritage Sites, including Pura Taman Ayun in Badung and the Tukad Pakerisan River and Jatiluwih rice fields in Gianyar.

“If those are made heritage sites, of course it will boost tourist visits,” he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com
Picture: http://chuchand.wordpress.com

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